UNION CO. TAKE-OVER

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32522, 4 February 1971, Page 12

UNION CO. TAKE-OVER

Chamber seeks more details The council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce will ask the Associated Chambers of Commerce to find out what steps might be businesses in the country, the tain New Zeqland-ownership of the Union Steam Ship Company.

The issue was vital to New Zealanders generally, and because it affected so many businesses in the country, the subject should be opened out to the community at large, said Mr R. C. Wallace, the chairman of the local chamber’s transport committee. Mr A. R. Sim, the president of the Associated Chambers, who attended the meeting, said the national body was taking an active interest in the issue although it had been difficult to get opinions from all chambers. “The attitude we have taken is that whoever takes over the Union Steam Ship Company, it should be retained by New Zealand,” he said.

Mr M. L. Newman put a resolution which was lost advising the Associated Chambers of the local chamber’s support for the principle of the shipping company being taken over by New Zealand interests, and to inform the R. A. Owens group of this support.

Mr J. M. Hargreaves supported the motion in principle, but said he felt sure there were many members who did not fully know particular group interests. Mr Newman said he felt that the chamber should not be mouthing platitudes but should be supporting something more concrete.